Zoning Commission approves C2 zoning for 1.77-acre Potranco Road corner despite staff preference for nonalcoholic designation

The San Antonio Zoning Commission voted June 3 to rezone a 1.77-acre corner lot at 7630 Potranco Road from R6 single-family to C2 commercial, overruling staff’s alternative recommendation to attach a nonalcoholic (NA) designation.

Why it matters: The C2 district allows a broader set of neighborhood-serving commercial uses than a C2NA designation. Commissioners noted the lot’s location at a five-lane arterial intersection and the presence of other commercial uses and multifamily nearby; the applicant said typical end users under consideration include restaurants and cafés.

Staff and applicant positions

Staff found the existing R6 zoning appropriate for the immediate surrounding single-family lots and recommended denial of a straight C2 designation while offering C2NA as a transition to limit nuisance uses abutting residences. The applicant’s representative, Emily Weisler, told commissioners the lot is a corner parcel fronting a primary arterial and that buffering (a 15-foot minimum landscape buffer and a 30-foot rear setback where the parcel abuts single-family) and access constraints reduce the likelihood of high-intensity nuisance uses. The applicant said they had limited outreach because there is no registered neighborhood association within 200 feet but reported some door-to-door contacts and one neighbor response in opposition.

Commission action

Commissioner Hooey moved to approve C2; Commissioner Reyes seconded. Commissioners discussed access (applicant anticipates primary access from Sedgwick rather than Potranco) and buffering commitments shown on the site plan. The motion carried on roll-call vote; the case will proceed to City Council for final action.